INTRODUCTION
*The Castlegar Refugee Project was formed in September, 2015 by a group of Castlegar area residents who were concerned at the escalating violence in the Middle East. The group was applying to bring here a pre-screened UNHCR refugee family from any war-torn area in the Middle East including Syria. Since the Federal government reached its goal of accepting 25,00 Syrian refugees, however, they have seriously limited the numbers coming from the Middle East. As a result, in early July 2016 the Castlegar Refugee Project broadened its horizons and is now in the process of finalizing an agreement to support a family from another country.
*This process is under the auspices of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the Canadian Government and the Anglican Church of Canada. The costs of resettlement are split 40/60 between the Canadian government and the Castlegar Refugee Project over a twelve month period. SECURITY SCREENING FOR REFUGEES PRIOR TO COMING TO CANADA
*There are five steps in the screening process:
-- two UNHCR (United Nations High Commission for Refugees) screenings,
-- two screenings by a Canadian Refugee Protection Officer and a Visa Officer.
-- The final step is running the file against the data base of the Canadian Border Services Agency, CSIS, Interpol and similar databases in allied countries. In addition, applicants must undergo a medical test to ensure they do not have a communicable disease that could endanger the community.
** (UNHCR) A REFUGEE is a person who flees their country and cannot return due to “serious and indiscriminate threats to life, physical integrity or freedom resulting from generalized violence or events seriously disturbing public order.” (NB. Anyone with a serious, non-political criminal background or who has committed war crimes is not eligible for refugee status) **
SETTLEMENT OF THE REFUGEE FAMILY IN CASTLEGAR
* After our application is approved, the Federal Government will arrange transportation to Castlegar. No details on the family or their arrival will be available until our application is approved.
*In the meantime, the Refugee Project and its sub-committees is planning for the following needs: housing, schooling, fund raising, financial support, health care, language, social and cultural integration, personal and household needs, employment support. OUTREACH TO THE COMMUNITY AND CONTACTS BEING MADE
*The support of the community is critical to the successful resettlement of the refugee family. We have been contacting local agencies, community groups, institutions, and corporations for their support. We are heartened by their responses to date!
*If you would like to make a tax deductible donation please make your cheque out to St. David’s Anglican Church with “Castlegar Refugee Project” in the memo line. Cheques can be dropped off at Castlegar Credit Unions, or mailed or put in the slot at St David’s, 614 Christina Place, Castlegar V1N 2K7.
*We are in contact with other groups in the West Kootenay who are sponsoring refugee families. Over the last 100 years our Kootenay valleys have witnessed the settlement of the Doukhobors escaping persecution in Russia; the forced migration from the BC coast to the Slocan Valley of the Japanese –Canadians in WWII; the economic migrants from Portugal and Italy to our mines and mills, the Quakers, the Vietnam war resisters, and the Vietnamese boat people. All of these groups encountered resistance from some of the local residents, but many others went out of their way to help them. It’s worth remembering that many of our families were immigrants too and that helping refugees come to Canada so they can live safe, productive lives is one reason why we are proud to call ourselves Canadians.”
